Company fined for Forks carbon monoxide accident

Gas buildup at food store sickened 11 people, three seriously.

July 21, 2010|By Christopher Baxter, OF THE MORNING CALL

A Chester County subcontractor was responsible for the potentially fatal buildup of carbon monoxide that sickened 11 people at a Forks Township Giant Food Store in March, federal authorities have ruled.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration this month fined Diplomat Demolition of West Chester $3,450 for four serious violations, according to online enforcement records. The agency later reduced the penalty to $2,070 as part of a settlement agreement.

Emergency officials originally said the construction crew with Diplomat used a propane-powered tile-cutter inside a plastic construction tent in the store, which allowed the buildup of carbon monoxide. The tent was set up by the contractor to shield customers and employees from debris and dust.

Authorities said of the 35 people in the store at the time, 26 were evaluated and the 11 were taken to three hospitals. Three of the people had serious symptoms. None of those affected were store employees or customers. All were treated and released.

As a result of the March 15 incident, Giant removed the workers.

The OSHA violations include exposing employees to carbon monoxide above acceptable levels, failure to provide respiratory protection to workers and failure to instruct employees to recognize and avoid unsafe working conditions. The violations were the company's first, online OSHA records show.

A representative of the company who answered the phone Wednesday said, "No comment."